Almost everything in Nodeslate can be done from the keyboard. This page covers the keys and the short codes you can type at the start of a line.

The three keys that matter

  • Enter adds the next box.
  • Tab adds a branch from the box you're on. In a mind map, it goes one level in.
  • Shift+Tab steps back.

Shift+Enter continues after the component you're typing inside, and the arrow keys move between boxes.

Decisions

Start a line with If or end it with ? and it becomes a decision diamond.

Payment OK?

Press Tab from a decision to add each outcome as its own branch.

Shapes from a few letters

Type a short code before the text to choose a shape:

  • db: a database
  • doc: a document
  • circle: a circle
  • ip: and op: input and output
  • note: a sticky note
db: Orders
note: Ask finance about refunds

Connect any two boxes

Type A -> B: label to draw a line between two boxes or components, with an optional label. Add a hashtag to tag the line as part of a named flow, which you can then pick out from Flows.

Web app -> API: REST
API -> Payments #checkout

Group boxes into a component

group: Name: A, B puts boxes inside a named component, like a frame. Typing continues inside it until you press Shift+Enter.

group: Billing: Invoices, Payments

Place things where you want

Click empty space to put the next box there, or to start a new flow. Drag a box to pin it in place, or drop it on another box to reconnect it. If you'd rather place everything yourself, turn off Auto layout. See shapes, icons and layout.

Try it on the canvasNo account needed.